Stretching My Wings

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”

-George Sheehan

Bonjour Readers,

Let's see, what's been going on. Well my sister didn't have her twins, yet but they are coming soon :) And my roommate is back from Aussie Land and she had a great time! Hopefully I'll be able to make an appearance soon. Lol. My personal life as been extra dull. Lol. I've been trapped in Georgia getting ready for the season and there's really nothing going on in my life. I want to go to DC to visit, so I can see all my homies from Howard! I plan on going to MEAC Championships in Greensboro this year or at least I want to :/ but we'll see. I do plan on going home soon so I can see my nephews and family. I just don't know when yet.

I'm a coach now! I just started coaching these high school hurdlers last week. It's really fun and exciting. They are all improving so much and the head coach gave me complete control over them! I get to come up with workouts and everything. I currently am not getting paid but it will look good on my resume and I'm thinking about getting certified so who knows I may become a coach when I'm done with track. They have a meet this Saturday and I think all of them will p.r. :o)

Well that's all in my personal life... boring right.Lol. I'm going to have to spice it up a little. Anyways, moving to the track. Practice is going really well. I feel good and strong. There's been a change in my meet schedule tho. I won't be participating in Florida Relays this year, instead I'm going to be running at Tiger Track Classic at Auburn on April 2nd! I'll still be running the open 400 my goal is to run at least 53 ... 53 anything and I'll be jumping for joy. Lol. I'm really excited. I also have the few weeks after that lined up. April 8-9 I'll be running at the University of Georgia and I plan on running the 400 Hurdles!! Ahhh, Season opener!!! Lol. And the weekend after that I'll be back at Auburn running the 100 Hurdles and 400 Hurdles! The season is sooo close gotta get it tight, get it right. Lol.

I'm super nervous and scared but also excited and anxious. Endless practice is boring, especially when you're not sure what you're capable of or where you currently are as far as running but practice is safe, once you start running that's it. It's so definite lol This is where you currently are! The first race is always nerve racking because it's so unknown, you have no idea how your going to perform and you know your game plan isn't going to be the best. It's like a rough draft, you have to keep tweaking it to get it just right. My current first race goals are: 100 Hurdles anything under 13.18 which will be a p.r. hopefully I can run something crazy like a 13 flat or sub 13 but little goals first, 400 Hurdles 56 anything which would be another p.r. For the 400 hurdles I really want to run 56 in April so I can get into a lot of European meets and plan my summer early. If I run that fast in April I'm definitely going to Europe this summer, which is the goal. For the 100 hurdles because of my minor set back I'm just looking for improvement. But I HAVE to run the A-standard by June!!! In order to compete at USA Nationals and get some funding from USATF.

Well that's what's going on... I'll probably write another post after my meet! Wish me luck!! Thanks for Reading ... Ttyl... P.s. thanks for all the comments and reactions ;)

Off to a Great Start

"Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~Martin Luther King Jr.

Hey Readers!

I'm glad that a lot of people are reading my blog =) But sad that most of you aren't commenting -__- Feed back is always nice, guys. Lol. Anyways, I'm so proud of myself for keeping up with the blog :Pats Back: I'm really making an effort to do better, I know a lot of people are interested in my track journey and like to know how I'm doing down here in the A. Well not much has been going on these last few weeks but I suppose I can give you guys a little update.

My personal goals are coming into full effect and I am working on myself. I'm making efforts in becoming a better person. Staying focused and figuring myself out. My motivation has yet to fade away and I'm really starting life habits instead of just doing stuff for a temporary goal. I am not perfect tho, I do have days where I just relax but even in that I think everyone needs a day off every once in a while. I know if I keep going and going and going... I'll run out of gas. Lol. My personal life has been kind of boring as of late. I don't really have anything to say about it. Lol. My new theme is Self-Love. So, I'm going to be doing things for myself and focusing on making me happy and doing things that need to be done in my life. Learning and Loving myself. =) One of the things that reflect that is wearing my hair in it's natural state, so far, I love it and it has only made me feel better about myself. My hair is an extension of me, by taking care of it and accepting it, I'm just accepting me.

Unfortunately, my eating habits are still pretty bad. I know, I know... I'm working on it :/ it's definitely going to be one of my biggest challenges. I think I binge eat. Lol. I eat healthy, healthy, healthy, and then I have a few days of overdoing the fast food and junk food. Then I feel bad and go back to healthy. Lol. I'm going to have to find a balance. :Sigh:

Track is going great! We have a start date! My first meet will be Florida Relays, April 2nd. I'm going to be running the open 400. I'm very excited. I'm sooooo ready for the season to start!!!! I'm sick of practicing, it's like never ending and FINALLY I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Today was my first day back in spikes! They felt soo weird. The first run out I did felt extra fast for no reason. Lol. It was nice having on spikes again and they were new spikes. I think I'm going to get some more tho, I don't like the way they feel going over short hurdles. I prefer a spike with a stiff plate for short hurdles but I'll definitely use them for the 400 hurdles. It was also my first time going over short hurdles since January! I went over one set of 5 steps last week but that doesn't count because I only did one.

It was so weird going over short hurdles again but fun and exhausting! lol We had sooooo mannnnyyy and it was my first day. My coach clearly didn't care and expected me to be on point even with the cobwebs on. Lol. So, I was doing 3 point starts over the hurdles and one I did really really well and he told me to do my last two in blocks... O_o ... O_O .... -__- .... Really?!?! My first day in spikes and over short hurdles and now blocks???? I was really looking at him like he was crazy. I didn't even really get any run outs or anything in the blocks, I did 2 pop outs. I went over with the blocks and he was disappointed and said it looked pretty but that was about it. LMAO. That just reminded me of what my old coach (Coach Grigsby) use to say to me ALLLL the time my freshman year.

The second one, however, was awesome! I just had to shake the cobwebs off... and adjust my blocks a little. I never felt sooo much POWER coming out and going over the hurdles! It felt amazing, so different from before. I guess that's what weight room does. Anyways, after that one he said it looked really really good and it was 13 flat/sub 13 pace and I need to do that all the time. Honestly, I was looking like c'mon give me a break, it's my first day back :smile: but clearly he wasn't havin it. He gave me a high five and said good job.

I've been feeling so great at practice and I'm sooo glad to be back!!! My practices have been going great. I think it has a lot to do with all the extra work I've been putting in. I've never been this physically fit and although practice is hard some days, I find myself pushing through and doing really well. My coach seems really impressed and excited about my season. I think he really sees my potential beginning to flourish. My teammates are also seeming to be impressed with my improvement. I think everyone is either excited or interested in seeing how I do this year.

Well that's all for now... Thanks for reading... Ttyl

P.s. My big sis might be having her twin babies today... I'll def give a update if she does!!!

A Quick Post

Hey Everyone,

Currently my computer charger is broken and I'm waiting for Best Buy to send me another one. :/ So there won't be a cute quote for this post. I just decided to check my yahoo horoscope today and this is what it said:


Today: Mar 09, 2011

The physical changes you seek may be coming at a frustratingly slow pace, but they are coming. To speed things up, all that's required of you is self-discipline and positive thinking. Cast your mind ahead a few months and visualize things as you want them to be (and want them to look). Your full commitment to a tough task will be required, but a strong dedication on your part will benefit your reputation and your attitude. A big confidence boost is coming.


I felt inspired to keep pushing through... I'll update when I get my charger. Thanks for reading... Ttyl.

Natural Hair :s

“Life is an endless struggle full of frustrations and challenges, but eventually you find a hair stylist you like.”

-Unknown

Hey Guys!

I told you all I was trying this natural thing or rather wearing my hair in its natural state, well I decided to upload some pictures of my journey. I'm kind of starting to figure my hair out, by accident tho. Lol
This is the last time I straightened it. About a month ago.
Curly two-strand twists. This is my protective hairstyle. It prevents me from damaging it by combing or brushing. This is after I left practice, the twists weren't so bad. I kept them in for about 5 days.


I took the twists out and this is what I had. :/

After playing with it this is what I got... a puff!!! Finally!!! I've been trying to figure out the puff for the longest!!! Lol

Well that's all for now. Thanks for checking in. Ttyl

High Hopes

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."

- Robert Collier

Hola Bloggers!

Ha! I know most of you didn't think I would keep up with the blog but I am proving you wrong! Lol Let's see, what has been going on in Landria's world. I guess I'll start with my personal life again.

Well, I'm still kind of looking for a job. I had an opportunity to work a few places but one of the places hours weren't going to work and another well... I might as well not have had the job the way they pay. Lol. But I'm not worried, something will pop up.

I sent my whole (immediate) family cards last week. Sometimes it's nice to have someone surprise you with a card saying they love you and appreciate you. I'm kind of a softy when it comes to making people feel special. I like to make people know how much they mean to me and when I have a little extra money sometimes I will do a little something. Little things go a long way :)

On another note, my old coach no longer works for Howard and I feel all types of ways. If it wasn't for her there is no way I would be where I'm at today. She not only helped me on the track (dropping me from a 14.00 to 13.18 almost a full second) but she looked out for me outside of the track too. She has always been a friend to me and came through with support and jokes when I needed it. Now when I go to DC to visit and pop up at a track practice it just won't be the same, especially when she always pretended not to be happy to see me and I would jump on her and give her a hug :) Even though she will no longer be there, I'm going to make sure I see her whenever I come in town.

The weather here has been amazing for the last 2 or 3 weeks! It's been over 60 everyday! I'm not use to this kind of weather so early in the year and I am loving it! Training is great when it's warm, you can be free and not bundled down in clothes. I can definitely get use to this.

My roommate has ventured off to Australia to compete in two meets. I can't wait until I get to the level where meets will pay for me to go run. Hopefully it will be in a few months. Lol. I'm definitely going to miss her while she's gone, once you get use to seeing someone daily it's weird for them to be gone.

I'm back to natural. After a short break from my hair being in it's natural state it is back. This time I am more prepared to take care of it. I plan to Henna my hair when I get a little extra cash and do a lot of other stuff to it, but in the mean time I'll keep it simple. Currently it's in two-strand twist, I'm still working on mastering that style. Lol.

I'm working on myself. Trying to get closer to God, figure out more interests and hobbies, and what I want to do Post-Track. I have an idea of what I want to do after track but I want to start working towards those things now because you never know when it comes to sports, one day you can be on top and the next working at Burger King lol. As far as getting closer to God, it's something that I really need to do because I have been beyond blessed!!! So many things have come into my life purely through the Grace of God. I was actually talking to my father today and he asked me if I had any testimonies and I told him I am a testimony. Me even being down in Georgia pursing my dream is a testimony, there have been a lot of times when things where not adding up and all of a sudden a door would open. So that is another one of my goals.

Now, for trackside. I am sooooo happy it's March! The season is right around the corner and it is grind time, I'm in countdown mode! I plan to open up in the open 400, so I can see where I'm at and set up my 400 hurdle race. I'm really excited about my first season out of college. I have high hopes! I want to go at least 53 something in the 400 to open but I'll take a 54 if I must lol After all, it will be the my first race and all. I'm definitely stronger then I've ever been and the massage guy I go to said my body is finally starting to look like a track athlete lol (speaking of my lack of hamstrings and muscle). Everyone (a few people lol) kept telling me I looked bigger so I stepped on the scale the other day and I gained weight. I am currently 127. I guess :shrug: it doesn't bother me or excite me, it's just whatever lol

I finally got to get over hurdles!!!! I missed them sooo much, just flat running is soooo boring!!! And I did 400 hurdle alternate leg, as much as I didn't want to do the 400 hurdles this year I did actually miss them, or maybe I was just happy to be jumping over something lol. I'm not going to lie, I was scared a little before we started as I was looking at the 10 hurdles lined up with 9 inches between them. But it felt great going over and by the end of practice my alternate leg was looking and feeling pretty good.

Practice is going great! I feel like I'm back! I'm keeping up with the workouts and my coach is telling me I'm looking pretty good. I'm doing extra stuff to get me right for the season. Runs, drinking lots of water, ice baths, icing, stretching, and whatever else I can to make this season great. I'm making routines and setting myself into habits. Now all I need to tackle is my eating habits. They have gotten soooo bad but I'm working on it. It's been a lot better in these past few weeks but this month I'm really going to put in work to eat better.

My goals for this season is to at least obtain the A standard in each of my events (100h 12.96, 400h 55.4) so I can qualify for the USATF Post-Grad Fund and so I can run in Europe this summer. I know I can do it! I put my goals as my background on my phone, so I can see it everyday and motivate myself when I'm the least motivated lol And it's been working. I've been super motivated these last couple of weeks and sticking to my habits. I have to make it, I don't have time for an adjustment year. Go hard or go back to Michigan lol And I ain't goin' back! Lol.'

Well, that's all for now... Sorry it's so long :Blush: Thanks for reading... ttyl :o)